Denver’s Archbishop-designate Samuel J. Aquila seemed right at home leading tonight’s evening mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver.

“Brothers and sisters. . . My heart is so full,” Aquila told the more than 100 people in attendance. “Thank you all so much.”

The mass was part of a packed schedule for Aquila after the announcement of his appointment at 4 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time. He spent the afternoon visiting the Guardian Angels Catholic School , the Catholic Charities’ Samaritan House homeless shelter and Centro San Juan Diego , the archdiocese’s Hispanic pastoral center, before heading to mass.

In his sermon, Aquila encouraged church-goers to strengthen their commitment to God, even in times of persecution and uncertainty. Afterward, he helped distribute communion.

“One of the things that’s really meaningful for me is his focus on youth,” said Autumn Jones of Denver, one of a group of young adults who attended Tuesday’s service. “He’s in such a vibrant community with youth and it’s exciting to see how he can help grow the youth ministry.”

James Foy , who was also in attendance and said he knew Aquila from his previous ministry positions in Denver, said having Aquila back in Colorado will be a seamless transition.

“He is from Denver, he understands Denver,” Foy said. “His pastoral nature is what we need and I know the flock will grow under his direction.”

The end of the service was followed by lengthy applause and Aquila asked church-goers to pray for him, saying it was difficult to leave his previous position as bishop of the Fargo Diocese in North Dakota where he “fell in love” with the local church community.

“I ask that you pray for me in this time of transition because it is bittersweet,” he said.

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